Knight doesn’t hold back on James’ suspension

Asked about Mike James’ absence in Saturday’s victory, Knight didn’t hold back when he said he suspended James for being “un-coachable,” the coach said.

Knight doesn’t believe tired clichés such as “conduct detrimental to the team” or “violation of team rules.”

“The one thing you can never accuse my family of is political correctness,” Knight said.

He’s straightforward. There’s no bull. That’s good.

“I want to start a new phrase that coaches and can (use),” Knight said. “You can sit down kids (and say), ‘If you’re un-coachable, you’re not going to play here.’”

That bluntness is music to our ears – for me as a reporter and you as fans.

Now, in all honesty, I’d like for James and Knight to clear whatever problem exists. College athletes have a special opportunity. Knight himself said college is a time for people to get second chances.

Kids make mistakes.

So if James returns to the team – and right now that’s an “if” and not a “when” – he’ll deserve credit for toeing the line his teammates seem to have no trouble respecting.

“In the real world, if you pull that stuff, they’re fired,” Knight said without saying exactly what caused the suspension.

All other players seem to be buying into what Knight preaches – how else to explain the Big Ten-like pace at which Lamar played at times?

Exactly what happened with James is unknown. Knight said only “if you have no respect for your teammates or coaches, we don’t need you. You’ve got to grow up.”

Knight is doing the right thing. He’s the boss.

“I warned him the other day – this warden runs this asylum,” Knight said. “I have no problem losing games by sitting guys to prove a point.”

How many games Lamar plays without James remains to be seen.

“Never let kids hold you hostage – never,” Knight said. “They don’t learn anything, and then what happens is it trickles down. It’s just a cancer on the team, and you can’t have that.

“Hopefully the kid can learn,” Knight said. “But you just don’t know.”